[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Senate]
[Page 17546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          RURAL AMERICA MONTH

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 561 submitted earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 561) to designate the month of 
     September 2006 as ``Rural America Month.''

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table, and that any statements relating thereto be 
printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 561) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 561

       Whereas more than 55 million people live in rural areas of 
     the country;
       Whereas rural areas make up eighty percent of the United 
     States landscape;
       Whereas our rural communities are diverse, dynamic engines 
     for growth in America;
       Whereas the contribution of rural Americans to the national 
     economy is invaluable;
       Whereas rural America's natural renewable resources can 
     help our nation break its dangerous reliance on foreign oil;
       Whereas rural America's farmers and ranchers feed families 
     across the country and around the globe while being stewards 
     of our land and natural resources;
       Whereas rural Americans look to their local police 
     officers, firefighters, EMTs and National Guard to keep them 
     safe in times of national emergencies;
       Whereas the highest concentrations of veterans are found in 
     rural counties;
       Whereas rural Americans deserve access to affordable health 
     care;
       Whereas rural Americans deserve the finest education we can 
     offer;
       Whereas rural America is a key part of our growing 
     information highway;
       Whereas Americans in rural areas reflect values that make 
     America great--community, service, hard work, family, and 
     responsibility--their contributions should be recognized and 
     commended: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of September 2006, as `Rural 
     America Month' and
       (2) encourages the people of the United States to observe 
     `Rural America Month' with appropriate ceremonies and 
     activities during the month of September.

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